Finally Got Eggs

by Sue & Terry Meehan
(Varnville, SC, USA)

Five Eggs, April 12, 2008

We put our bluebird house right outside our kitchen window several years ago, and we've had several couples adopt the house over the years -- but never had success with keeping them there long enough to start a family.

We think we have bluebirds living in the box and the next thing we know, we see other birds coming and going, enjoying the nest built by the poor bluebirds!

This year, we witnessed the attack by house sparrows as a new bluebird couple was just finishing off their nest building.

My husband ran outside and helped the male bluebird defend his home from swooping sparrows.

The extra hand was just enough to help the bluebird defend his turf, and the sparrows left.

We watched the nest hopefully for a few weeks and while we saw bluebirds coming now and then, we couldn't be sure if it was our nest-building couple.

We worried that they may have been frightened off and new bluebirds wouldn't be interested in the box now that it had somebody else's nest in it.

After a little more than two weeks, we decided it was time to toss the old nest in hopes of attracting new tenants.

We went out and opened up the box, gently tipped the nest forward to take a peak ... and found two blue eggs!!! JOY!!!

The next morning, we watched carefully and when we spotted a blue blur leaving the box we checked the box again ... three blue eggs!

We got to work putting together a 'sparrow spooker' made from an old tomato cage and some cut up plastic bag strips.

When the bluebirds returned, they were a little upset for just a bit but now they are quite comfortable with it and we rest a little easier knowing our bluebirds have a little protection from bullies.

As of today, we are at five pretty blue eggs ... we've been at that level for three days now so we think the egg-laying is complete.